“When it comes to Donald Trump, I like Donald Trump. I think he’s terrific, I think he’s brash, I think he speaks the truth. and I think NBC is engaging in political correctness that is silly and that is wrong. I don’t think you should apologize for speaking out about the problem that is illegal immigration,” Cruz said.

Cruz joined Fox News to discuss his new book, but was asked about Trump’s comments about illegal immigration, made at his formal announcement speech.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best… They’re sending people who have lots of problems,” Trump said at his formal presidential announcement speech. “They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.”

The comments sparked NBC and Univision dump the broadcast of Trump’s upcoming Miss USA pageant, scheduled for July 12th.

Cruz said he likes Trump and that he shouldn’t have to take back what he said.

“I’ve seen the bodies of the women and children of immigrants who are being smuggled in,” Cruz said, as he represents the border state of Texas. “I’ll tell you who are definitely criminals – are the smugglers. The smugglers are transitional vicious cartels.”

Cruz said the smugglers abuse the unaccompanied children being smuggled across the border.

“These are bad bad guys.”

He promoted legal immigration, and said our country is a nation of immigrants.